MAMMALOGY. 



THE 



NATURAL HISTORY OF MAMMIFEROUS ANIMALS. 



LESSON I. 



CLASSIFICATION OP THE ANIMAL KINGDOM Comparison of Ani- 

 mals Tkeir division into four BRANCHES Characters of each of 

 these Branches Division of the VERTEBRATA into four Classes. 



OF CLASSIFICATION IN GENERAL. 



As we have seen, when considering the subject of "Physiology 

 and Animal Mechanism," The Natural History of Animals is 

 termed Zooloyy. 



For the convenience of study, Zoology has been divided into 

 several branches, the highest of which is termed Mammalogy. 

 This embraces the study of the Natural History of all Mam- 

 miferous Animals, man included, and is to engage our attention 

 at present. 



1. The number of different animals inhabiting the surface of 

 the globe, is so great, that in order to study them with ease, it is 

 necessary to establish amongst them, divisions, and sub-divisions. 

 Each of the groups thus formed should be characterised in such 

 a manner as to enable us always to recognise, with certainty, the 

 individuals which belong to it, and the group should be designated 

 by a particular name. 



The assemblage of these divisions and sub-divisions constitutes 

 what is termed a CLASSIFICATION. 



2. In the classification of animals, the name Species is applied 

 to an assemblage of individuals which bear a strong resemblance 

 to each other, and which are perpetuated with the same essential 

 qualities. Thus, man, the dog, the horse constitute, to the eye of 

 the zoologist, so many distinct species. 



3. Sometimes one species differs considerably from all the 

 others ; but, in general, there is a number of them, greater or 

 less, which very much resemble each other, being distinguished 

 only by some unimportant differences ; the horse and the ass, the 



1. What must be done to enable us to study the animal kingdom with 

 ease? What is meant by a classification? 

 9 What is the meaning of the term species? 



